“I’m completely passionate about swords and armour and in the last few years have been active online creating resources for people who love medieval swordsmanship, as well as sharing news from around the modern medieval world.

“I hope to be an inspiring outreach person and enabler of all people to pick up a sword, regardless of whether it’s for Western or historical European martial arts, stage shows, armoured medieval combat or in live action role-playing.”

Samantha won the longsword division of the Harcourt Park Invitational Jousting Tournament in 2013 – the biannual event held in Wellington, New Zealand where local and international athletes competed to be crowned the best in their chosen art.

The female martial artist identifies herself as an Aussie-Kiwi having been born and grown up near Sydney before spending most of her adult life in New Zealand.

She is also a prop maker and special effect technician for the film industry.

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“I researched medieval martial arts again when I moved back to New Zealand.

“Fortunately, in the Wellington region we have some very experienced instructors who have been part of the recent European swordsmanship revival since the early days, and I had the option of several different martial arts clubs to train at.

“Since then I have begun my own study of the medieval sources, travelled and connected with many groups across the world.

Samantha works in the film industry as a special effect technician and prop maker

Samantha said that while there is a historical appeal, the arts are also modern and relevant to events such as the Olympics.

“My home club in Wellington were focused on reviving the self-defensive aspects of medieval swordsmanship, and work with the source material of treatises (fighting books) left by 14th-16th century German, Italian and English sword masters,” she said.

“The community of medieval enthusiasts is fairly close in New Zealand, so I was also able to be involved with historical reenactment, as well as learn stage and stunt fighting, which enriched my understanding of different ways that historical fencing can be used today.”